Feature Article

Over the years of teaching stylistic prediction and adjustment, I’ve learned that many of us bring with us a pushback from really embracing where the work is supposed to live. We often roll our eyes and/or judge/resist really going for it. How crazy is that? How likely are we to do our best work or

‘Failure’ is a label. To that label, most of us have assigned a fear-based perception that teaches us ‘don’t do that again!’ Contrary to the messages that bombard us everywhere we go every second of our lives, we are in charge of our own perception. That fear-based understanding isn’t real. It’s just a decision on how to perceive

Before I ever took the plunge and admitted to myself and the world that I’m an actor, I was a business person. I graduated from business school, and wore a suit and tie to work for almost ten years. In that time, the most valuable lesson I took away as this: ‘Make yourself obsolete before your

As things are settled in this holiday season, and the new year is around the corner, I thought I would share this with all of you because its been of great value to me. My year-end review. At the end of every year it’s my a tradition to take some time to sit down and review

We’re professionals, right? What does a professional do? He/She helps make the project/task/goal at hand work most efficiently. They put themselves second and the needs of those around them first. They satisfy the needs of others. OK, so in order to do that, we should really understand the needs of those around us, right? Over

On the heels of a crazy busy month, I was catching up on some actor notes from my most recent Toronto visit, working with Casting Director Sharon Forrest. On the whole actors did some outstanding work. Impressive first takes. Then it was time for notes from Sharon. Previously, on our coaching day, I had prepared

I want to talk about QUALITY OF TRAINING. “What makes for a quality training program? It’s not the talent or experience of the trainer, it’s not the comprehensiveness of the training, nor even the innate talent of the people participating in the training. The key to having a quality training program of any kind is

Success is on ongoing, long-term thing. It’s not a result, it’s just a series of decisions that over the long-haul favour the result we’re aiming for. If you want it, it’s yours right now. Simple. Those who really achieve have the discipline, commitment, and patience to build slowly, one small seemingly insignificant step at a

Double Down Intransitive verb 1: to double the original bid in blackjack in exchange for only one more card 2: to become more tenacious, zealous, or resolute in a position or undertaking. As I’ve said many times – This job is hard work. The other day, I had a student tell me that sometimes she

Whiskey and toothpaste and cars, oh my! My first commercial audition was a baffling experience. I walked into the audition room and the casting director said, “Ok. You have a terrible cold. You’re sniffling and sneezing and you feel miserable. And you’re riding a surf board. Rolling!” I sniffed, sneezed and surfed my little heart

There’s a simple truth to the Entertainment Industry that many actors choose not to acknowledge. Their personal pushback to that truth gets in the way of career growth. It’s a truth that’s incredibly simple and obvious, and yet most of us are in some sort of denial around it. At least initially. As with most

by Matthew Kevin Anderson I once heard someone say act more then you aren’t acting… Someone also said it takes 10,000 hours to master your craft. (Malcolm Gladwell – Outliers) How many hours are you acting every year? Every month? Every Week? There are 8760 hours per year. Let’s say you sleep 8 hours a

Happy New Year! If you haven’t been around in class lately (or ever), please consider this your formal invitation to come audit and see the perspective we’re applying. New perspectives are settling in, light bulbs are turning on, career growth is happening. The work we’ve been doing in the Pilot Season Intensive is finding its way out

Wow it’s the end of the year. Tired? Ready for a break? Cool. You probably deserve it, and the timing is great. As pros we should be breaking with the industry, resting and preparing to meet its needs as the seasonality permits. The industry will take a hiatus at the end of next week for

Welcome to the beginning of what promises to be the busiest Vancouver Television Season in recent history! The harvest is already beginning (about a month earlier than most years), with season and series openers beginning to cast right now. This is golden opportunity time – when “Episode 1’s” are being cast. It’s your best chance of booking